Apparatus for harvesting and cleaning windrowed cane

ABSTRACT

A tracked vehicle is disclosed having forwardly extending conveyor chains for picking up a windrow of cane, lifting the cane and agitating the cane with agitator rollers to dislodge loose leaf or trash particles with the cane being fed through parallel cooperating segmentizer rolls to be chopped into short segments. Chopped cane falls through an air blast path for removing the trash and leaf particles and lands on the lower end of an outfeed conveyor extending transversely from the vehicle. The upper end of the outfeed conveyor has a conveyor end shroud in which fans are provided creating a draft across cane falling from the upper end of the outfeed conveyor onto a plurality of parallel agitator rolls which dislodge any remaining leaf or trash particles to be blown away by the fan in the conveyor end shroud with the cleaned cane segments then falling into a receiving trough or the like.

United States Patent [1 Fowler 1 APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING AND CLEANINGWINDROWED CANE [75] inventor: Larry G. Fowler, Belle Glade, Fla.

[73] Assignee: Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, Belle Glade,Fla.

22 Filed: May 9,1973

21 App1.No.:358,695

Related [1.8. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.248,970, May 1,

1972, Pat. No. 3,828,536.

[52] U.S. Cl 56/502, 56/11.9, 56/l2.8,

56/13.5, 56/14.3 [51] int. Cl A0ld 49/00 [58] Field of Search..56/12.8,13.3,13.4,13.5,

[451 Feb. 4, 1975 Primary ExaminerRussell R. Kinsey Attorney, Agent, orFirmMason, Fenwick & Lawrence [57] ABSTRACT A tracked vehicle isdisclosed having forwardly extending conveyor chains for picking up awindrow of cane, lifting the cane and agitating the cane with agitatorrollers to dislodge loose leaf or trash particles with the cane beingfed through parallel cooperating segmentizer rolls to be chopped intoshort segments. Chopped cane falls through an air blast path forremoving the trash and leaf particles and lands on the lower end of anoutfeed conveyor extending transversely from the vehicle. The upper endof the outfeed conveyor has a conveyor end shroud in which fans areprovided creating a draft across cane falling from the upper end of theoutfeed conveyor onto a plurality of parallel agitator rolls whichdislodge any remaining leaf or trash particles to be blown away by thefan in the conveyor end shroud with the cleaned cane segments thenfalling into a receiving trough or the like.

24 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3,863,431

' SHEET 10F 8 PATENTEB FEB 41975 SHEET 2 OF 8 PATENTED FEB 4 I975 SHEET30F 8 PATENTEDFEB M975 $HEET BUF 8 APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING AND CLEANINGWINDROWED CANE This application is a continuation-in-part of earlierfiled application Ser. No. 248,970, filed May I, 1972 and now Pat. No3,828,536.

The subject invention is in the field of agricultural equipment and isspecifically directed to a sugar cane harvesting and cleaning device forfield operation. More specifically, the subject invention is directed toa tractor mounted harvester and cleaner for picking up windrowed cane,chopping the cane into small segments, cleaning trash and debris fromthe cane segments and depositing the cane segments onto a truck or othervehicle for removal from the field.

Numerous devices have evolved in recent years for the harvesting of canefor delivery to the refinery; however, the prior known devices havesuffered from a number of deficiencies which are eliminated by thesubject invention.

Many prior cane harvesters have employed cane chopping apparatus inwhich a rotating blade cooperates with another rotating blade or in someinstances with a fixed abutment for chopping the cane into smallsegments. Prior known devices of the foregoing type require that therotating blade elements be carefully adjusted to provide for a minimumclearance with the elements with which they cooperate to effect thechopping operaton. The rough field usage to which such units aresubjected results in frequent misalignment of the blade cuttingcomponents to the consequent damage to the apparatus. Consequently, suchdevices must frequently be stopped to be readjusted or repaired to theconsequent detriment of the harvesting operation.

Another probelm of prior known devices for picking up the cane from thefield is derivative from the fact that they also pick up a substantialamount of trash along with the cane leaves and the cane members. It isdesirable that all of the leaves, trash and the like be separated fromthe cane segments and returned to the field if possible. Prior knowndevices have not provided adequate separation of the cane segments andthe trash and leaf particles to the consequent detriment of, andincreased cost to, the overall harvesting and refining operation.

Another frequently encountered problem in cane harvesters employingchoppers or segmentizers for cutting the cane into shortened canesegments is that the segmentizers rapidly become dull to such an extentas to result in undesirable mutilation of the ends of the cane segmentswith a consequent undesirable loss of juice.

Another frequently found problem of prior known cane harvesters is thatthe segmentizers do not maintain uniform size of cane segments andfrequently pass larger cane segments present with the other smallersegments to consequently create problems in subsequent handling of thecane segments.

Other prior known cane harvester and segmentizer devices have employedsaws for cutting the stalks into shortened segments. However, devices ofthe lastmentioned type cause a loss of cane and juice in the sawdustresultant from the saw cut and in mutilation of the cane ends frequentlyresulting from the use of this type apparatus.

Therefore, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a newand improved cane loader-cleaner device.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a new andimproved cane loader and segmentizer which eliminates excessivemaintenance costs and which lessens cane and juice wastage in theharvesting process.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision ofa new andimproved cane harvesting machine for use in lifting windrowed cane fromthe field, chopping the cane and thoroughly cleaning the cane fordeposit in a transport vehicle.

Obtainment of the objects of this invention is enabled by the preferredembodiment of the invention through the provision of a motor driventracked vehicle having a main frame from which a pivotal cane pickup andconveying means extends forwardly of the vehicle in a cantilever mannerwith its lowermost forward end engaging the windrowed cane for liftingthe cane upwardly from the field onto chain driven conveyor means whichdischarges the cane into a segmentizer. The segmentizer comprises a pairof axially parallel rotating segmentizer rolls driven in unison and eachhaving radially extending blades which cooperate to sever the cane andpropel the short cane segments and trash inwardly into a cleaning hood.One of the blades has a sharp edge which enters a slot in the outer edgeof the other blade with the slot being sufficiently larger than thesharp edge of the blade to permit cane and leaf fibers to occupy theslot and provide a backing support for the cutting operation of thesharp blade edge.

The shortened cane segments fall through an air blast from a blowerwhich removes leaf and other trash particles onto the lower end of anoutfeed conveyor which extends transversely from the vehicle. Theoutfeed conveyor ispower driven and is provided at its upper end with acombination cleaning and discharge hood in which a pair of fans areprovided for creating a draft of air across cane segments falling fromthe upper or discharge end of the outfeed conveyor. The cleaning fansare on the outer end of the outfeed conveyor and serve to remove anyremaining trash or leaf particles from the cane segments which fall ontoagitating rollers which agitate the shortened segments to physicallyloosen further small leaf portions or the like. The agitating rollersare rotating in a direction to discharge the chopped cane segments intoa receiving bin, truck or other receiving means.

The manner in which the subject invention achieves the objects of theinvention will be better understood when the following writtendescription is considered in conjunction with the appended drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top. plan view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cane segmentizer or chopping meansof the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an alternate form of cane segmentizermeans;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the cane segmentizer bladecomponents;

FIG. 8A is a sectional end view of an alternate form of segmentizerblade means;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of agitator roller meansemployed in the perferred embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along lines llll of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines l2--l2 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along lines 1414 of FIG. 13.

Attention is initially invited to FIG. 1 of the drawings whichillustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of avehicle 10 having crawler tracks 11 driven in conventional manner bymotor means in a housing 9 over the surface 13 of a field on whichwindrows of cane C have been provided.

A chassis frame, generally designated 12, is supported by the trackmembers 11 etc. and, in turn, provides support for the various operativecomponents for picking up, segmentizing, cleaning and loading of thewindrowed cane. It should be noted that a drivers operation station 14is provided on a forwardly positioned upper platform 16 for enabling aclear forward view for the operator of the apparatus.

A cane pickup and conveying means, generally designated 20, extendsforwardly from the vehicle frame 12 for engaging the windrow of cane Cand lifting same upwardly from the field surface 13 to be processed bythe harvesting and segmentizing apparatus. Support for and positioningof the forward end of the cane pickup and conveying means 20 is providedby gauge wheels 21 on opposite sides of the forward end of the pickupand conveying means; however, only one of the gauge wheels 21 isillustrated.

The cane pickup and conveying means 20 consists of a lower conveyor feedassembly generally designated 22 in FIG. 3 which supports and carriescane and an upper, or hold-down, conveyor feed assembly 24 which holdsdown and guides the cane carried by the lower conveyor assembly 22.

Lower conveyor feed assembly 22 consists of a rear portion includingfour chains 26 mounted on sprockets 28 and 29 respectively mounted onshafts 30 and 32 extending transversely between side frame arms 34 and36 (FIG. 2) which are pivotally mounted adjacent their upper ends on thevehicle frame 12. Additionally, an idler sprocket 38 is provided fortensioning each of the chains 26. Four chains 26 are supported on thesupporting frame with the two internal chains being respectivelyassociated with the outside chains and connected thereto by transversecylindrical rods 40 (FIG. 2). Additionally, feed lug plates 42 areconnected to some of the rods 40 as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.Transverse brace members 44 extend between the side frame arms 34 and 36and are connected by intermediate brace members 46 to provide a rigidconstruction.

Lower conveyor feed assembly 22 also includes a forward lower endportion supported by pivotal side arms 48 and 50 mounted for pivotalmovement about the axis of a shaft 52. The forward lower conveyorsection includes a central pickup conveyor 54 and two side conveyors 56(FIG. 2). Central conveyor 54 extends forwardly of the two sideconveyors 56 and includes a 4 pair of chains 58 each mounted on an uppersprocket 60 supported by a driven shaft 61 and a lower sprocket 62 (FIG.3,) with transverse cylindrical rods 64 extending between the chains 58.Also, upwardly extending feed lugs 66 are provided on the rods 64.

Similarly, the side conveyors 56 each comprise a pair of chains 68between which transverse rods 70 which support feed lug plates 72extend. Chains 68 are supported on upper and lower sprockets 71 and 69with sprockets 71 being driven by the shaft 61 on which they aresupported.

A lower agitator feed roller 74 is positioned on the lower ends of theside frame arms 34, 36 between the upper ends of chains 58 and 68 andthe lower ends of chains 26. Roller 74, the details of which areillustrated in FIG. 9, is formed of a plurality of square plates 75having clipped corners 75 and mounted on a hollow shaft 52 to rotate inthe direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 for aiding in movement of the caneupwardly along the conveyor means and for also dislodging leaf particlesand the like from the cane coming in contact with the periphery of theplates 75. Additionally, an upstream agitator feed roller 76 (FIG. 3) ofless diameter than the lower agitator feed roller 74, but of otherwiseidentical construction, is provided for feeding the cane and dislodgingthe leaf particles therefrom.

Agitator feed roller 76 is mounted on a shaft 78 driven by two hydraulicmotors 80 with power for driving the conveyors being provided from shaft78 by a transmission chain 82 to the shaft 32 on which sprockets 29 aremounted. Rotation of shaft 32 drives the upper flight of chains 26 fromleft to right as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3 and serves to drive the lowershaft 30 supporting sprokets 28 and chains 26 in an obvious manner.

Power from shaft 30 is conveyed by a transmission chain 84 to a centralaxle 52 of hollow shaft 52 and from axle 52' by another transmissionchain 86 mounted on an axle 61' of hollow shaft 61 on which sprockets 60are mounted. Consequently, the lower conveyors 56, 58 are driven so thattheir upper flights move from left to right in the same direction as theupper flight of the conveyor provided by chains 26.

Upper or hold-down conveyor feed assembly 24 comprises a pair of chains88 between which connecting rods 90 extend with feed lugs 92 beingprovided on spaced ones of the rods 90. Chains 88 are supported by apair of upper sprockets 94 and a pair of lower sprockets 96 on a framewith the upper sprockets 94 being mounted on a shaft 98 and the lowersprockets 96 being mounted on a shaft 99. Additionally, adjustable idlersprockets 100 are provided for maintaining the chains 88 in tensionedcondition. Drive for chains 88 is provided by a hydraulic motor 102 orany other suitable drive means which is connected to a shaft 104 onwhich an upper feed agitator roller 106 of construction the same asagitator roller 76 is mounted. Power from shaft 104 to the chains 88 isprovided by a transmission chain 108.

Cane picked up from the surface '13 of the field is discharged into thenip of two rotating cutting members conprising an upper segmentizer roll110 and a lower segmentizer roll 111 as shown in FIG. 3. The uppersegmentizer roll means 110 is mounted for rotation about the axis of ashaft 112 while the lower segmentizer roll means 111 is mounted forrotation about the axis of a shaft 114 as shown in FIG. 4. Meshing gears116 drive tizer roll 111 in unison and power for the driving operationis provided by a sheave 118 keyed on shaft 114 and driven by belts 120.Upper segmentizer roll 110 has six radially equidistantly spaced cuttingblades 122 having sharp pointed edges 122' and positioned in alignedpairs in support blocks 124 that are interconnected by tangent plates126 welded to the blocks 124 and which have their bases on a hollowcylindrical support shaft 112' coaxial with shaft 112. Radial endflanges 128 and 129, engage the outer ends of the aligned blades 122 anda central radial cutting flange 130 having a sharp cutting edge 131separates the inner ends of the aligned blades as shown in FIG. 4.

The lower segmentizer element 111 has six equidistantly spaced backupblade members 132 positioned in aligned pairs and each having a slot 134(FIG. 5) formed in its outer edge. Slot 134 is illustrated in FIG. 8 andcomprises first and second side walls 135 connected at their innermostextent by a bottom wall 133 (FIG. 8). It is of great importance that theslot 134 be of substantially greater dimensions than edge of blade 122which is received in the slot since the slot becomes filled with caneand leaf fibers F which provide a backup for enabling edge 122' to cutthe cane into short segments. Additionally, the substantial clearancespace around blade 122 in slot 134 makes the adjustment of the bladepositions a simple uncritical matter.

Blade members 132 are supported in support blocks 136 analagous to thesupport blocks 124 on a hollow cylindrical shaft 114 coaxial with shaft114 and tangent plates 138 are welded to the support blocks 136 forfixedly holding the blocks in position. A central radial cutting flange140 having a sharp cutting edge 141 is provided in alignment with flange130 but with the sharp edges 131 and 141 overlapping and end radialflanges 142 and 144 respectively provided in alignment with analagousflanges 128, 129 of the upper segmentizer roll 110. The outer sharp edgeof the blade 122 moves inwardly into the slot 134 during each rotationof the two segmentizer members to provide an effective cane choppingaction.

Backup blade members provide support for the cutting operation andadditionally serve to grasp, strike and otherwise engage the cane andleaf members to effectively move them from the conveyor through thesegmentizer station into the confines of a cleaning chamber defined by ashroud 148. A blower 160 is connected by a conduit 162 to provide an airblast internally of the shroud 148 for blowing trash and leafy particlesfrom the cane segments C that have been formed from the cane C by thechopping action of the segmentizer means 110, 111. The cane segments Cfall through the air blast from the conduit 162 onto the lower end of anoutfeed conveyor generally designated 164 and best illustrated in FIG.10.

Outfeed conveyor 164 comprises an inclined portion 165 having framemeans 166 and a lower horizontal portion 168 having supporting framemeans 169 along which a pair of spaced chains 170 having upper flightsare mounted for movement over both the horizontal and inclined portions.The chain members 170 are connected by a plurality of spaced anglemembers 184. The lower surfaces of the angle members 184 in the upperflight of the portion of the chains 170 on the inclined conveyor portionride on a plurality of supporting guide rods 186 extending parallel tothe inclined frame members 166 as shown in FIGS. 10 and'12. Guide rods186 support the cane segments moved by angle members 184 andallow anytrash to fall through the spaces between the rods. Side walls 190supported by the inclined frame members 166 prevent cane segmentscarried by the inclined conveyor portion from falling off the side ofthe conveyor.

Chains 170 are driven by a hydraulic motor 200 connected to a shaft 202(FIG. 14) adjacent the upper ends of the inclined frame members 166. Apair of upper sprockets 203 on 'each end of shaft 202 drivingly supportthe chains 170. A transmission chain 204 extending downwardly from themotor as shown in FIG. 10 is similarly driven by motor 200. Chain 204drives a set 206 of four agitating rolls each including a hollow shaft207 on which a plurality of square rims 209 are mounted and the rolls206 are positioned to receive cane segments C" falling from the upperend of the inclined conveyor means. The square rims 209 of adjacentrolls are interleaved as shown in FIG. 13. Support for the set of rolls206 is provided by a pair of side support plates 214 and 216 androtative power provided from the chain 204 is conveyed to all of therolls by chains 230, 232 and 234 as best illustrated in FIG. 13 of thedrawings.

A fan shroud 240 encloses the upper or discharge end of the inclinedconveyor member and supports a pair of fans 242 driven by motors 244 tocause air movement in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 14 fordischarging any trash and leaf particles associated with the canesegments C falling from the upper end of the inclined conveyor portion164. The agitating action of the rolls 206 also physically serves toloosen and remove any leaf particles still adhering to the segments C"with such particles being carried away by the operation of the fans 242in a manner that will be obvious from inspection of FIG. 14.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternate form of the invention in whicheach half of each half of the upper segmentizer roll 149 is providedwith two radial blades 150' which are on diametric opposite sides of acentral support cylinder 152 as best illustrated in FIG. 7. The lowersegmentizer roll 151 is identically provided with four backup blades150" oriented in the same manner as blades 150 .The blades 150' and 150"are clamped in a bifurcated clamp block 153 by nut and bolt assemblies154. The blades 150 have two edges and can be reversed in their mountingblock when one of the edges becomes dull. Brace plate 155 providesrigidity for the blade assembly. Each of the segmentizer rolls isseparated at its midpoint by a central radial flange 156 and radial endflanges 158 are provided at each end of the segmentizer rolls asillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The central flanges 157 have cutting edges157' overlapping at the nip of the flanges as shown in FIG. 7. Thecentral flange overlap provides an additional shearing action for anycane passing through the area of the central flange area in a mannerthat will be obvious from inspection of FIG. 7. The blades 150' on oneside of central flange 156 of the roll 149 are displaced from the bladeson the other side of the central flange roll and the blades 150" onopposite sides of the central flange of the lower roll 149 are similarlyoriented as will be obvious from comparing the dotted line illustrationof the blades 150 and 150" with the solid line blades of FIG. 7.

It should be noted that the blade members 150" on the lower segmentizerroll are also reversible and are provided with V-shaped slots 151 intheir outer edge surfaces which mate with the pointed outer edge surfaceof the other blades 150' of the upper segmentizer roll. V-shaped slotscould also be used in the blades 132 of the segmentizer arrangement ofFIGS. 4 and 5 if desired. Similarly, the blade construction of FIG. 8could be used in the segmentizer arrangement of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 8A illustrates on alternate form of blade construction in which oneof the blade edges is pointed in the manner of the blades 122 and 150but the other blade edge is provided with a slotted opening defined witha plurality of stepped surfaces 159. The blade construction illustratedin FIG. 8A can be used either with the segmentizer construction of FIGS.6 and 7, or in the construction illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.Additionally, it should be noted that it is immaterial which of theroller members is provided with the sharp edge or the slotted edgesurface, since the device operates equally well with either top orbottom segmentizer roll having either type of blade construction.

In operation, the vehicle is moved forwardly along the field surface 13with the cane pickup and conveying means 20 being positioned so that thewindrow of cane C is engaged by the forward lowermost surfaces of thecentral pickup conveyor 54 and the side conveyors 56 with the plates 66,72 and rods 64, 70 serving to lift the cane upwardly for movement ontothe agitator feed roller 52, 74 etc. which serves to feed the cane andto dislodge leaf and trash particles therefrom. Cane then moves onto therods 40 and feed lugs 42 of the upper portion of the lower conveyor andis carried forwardly between the agitator rolls 104, 106 and 78, 76which further serve to dislodge loose leaf or trash particles and whichaids in moving the cane into the nip between the segmentizer rollers 110and 111 as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

Cane segments C are hurled from the segmentizer roll members 110 and 111into the shroud 148 to fall downwardly onto the horizontal portion 168of the outfeed conveyor means. During their falling movement, the canesegments C are subjected to the air blast from the conduit 162 and theblower 160 which serves to dislodge additional trash and leaf particlesfrom the cane segments. The cane is then conveyed upwardly along theinclined conveyor path 164 from the upper end of which the cane segmentsC" fall onto the set of agitator rolls 206 which provides a finalmechanical and physical agitation of the segments to dislodge anyremaining leaf or trash particles which are then blown away by the fans242. The cleaned cane then falls into a receiving container generallydesignated T in FIG. such as the body of a truck or trailer.

Numerous modifications of the subject invention will undoubtedly occurto those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention which is to be limited solely in light of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. Field harvesting means for gathering freshly cut windrowed canecomprising a motor driven vehicle, cane pickup and conveying meansmounted on and extending forwardly from said vehicle for engagingwindrowed cane extending in generally parallel relation to the directionof movement of said vehicle and lifting the cane of the windrow upwardlyfrom the ground for rearward conveyance, cane segmentizer meanspositioned on said vehicle to receive cane from said pickup andconveying means, a cleaning chamber mounted on said vehicle in aposition to receive cane segments discharged from said cane segmentizermeans to fall downwardly through said cleaning chamber, an outfeedconveyor means mounted on the vehicle and having a lower end in saidcleaning chamber to receive said cane segments falling through saidcleaning chamber, said outfeed conveyor extending transversely upwardlyfrom said cleaning chamber and having a discharge end spaced to one sideof said vehicle, means mounted on said vehicle for providing an airblast in said cleaning chamber across said cane segments falling throughsaid cleaning chamber onto said outfeed conveyor for removing trash andleaf particles from said cane segments and blower means mounted adjacentthe outer end of said outfeed conveyor for creating an air flow acrossthe path of travel of cane segments falling from the discharge end ofsaid outfeed conveyor.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said cane segmentizer means includesfirst and second driven segmentizer roll means mounted for rotationabout parallel axes, gear means drivingly connecting said first andsecond segmentizer roll members for rotation in unison, a plurality ofradially extending blade members equidistantly spaced on each of saidsegmentizer roll members so that one blade on each roll passes in unisonthrough the nip of said roll members with a cooperating blade on theother roll member as said roll members rotate in unison, the blademembers on said first segmentizer roll member having an outer edgetermination comprising a sharly tapered edge surface, said blades onsaid second segmentizer roll having surface portions defining a bottomedslot in their outer edge into which a sharply tapered edge surface of ablade member on said first segmentizer roll moves as the blades passthrough the nip of said segmentizer rolls as the rolls rotate in unison.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said bottomed slots in said blademembers on said second segmentizer roll member comprise stepped surfacesproviding a plurality of cutting edges cooperable with the sharplytapered edge surface of the blade members on the first segmentizer rollmember.

4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said cane pickup and conveying meanscomprises a lower conveyor feed assembly including a first chain drivenconveyor system for picking and lifting cane from the surface of theground, and agitating roll means positioned to receive said cane fromsaid first chain conveyor system and including rotating membersphysically engageable with said cane for dislodging leaf and trashparticles from the cane and for feeding cane to a second chain conveyorsystem positioned to receive cane from said agitator roll to convey saidcane upwardly, a second agitator roll positioned to receive cane fromthe upper end of said second chain conveyor system and including meansengageable with the cane for feeding the cane and for dislodging trashand leaf particles from the cane, said first and second segmentizerrolls being positioned immediately adjacent said second agitator rollfor receiving cane from said second agitator roll.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said outfeed conveyor includes ahorizontal portion extending across the lower end of said cleaningchamber with said outfeed conveyor comprising first and second parallelspaced chain members connected by parallel rods and angle members spacedalong said chain members parallel to said rods for lifting cane segmentsupwardly from said cleaning chamber.

6. The invention of claim 2 wherein each of said segmentizer rollmembers includes a central radial flange, said blade means includesfirst and second radially extending blade members on each side of eachof said central radial flange means extending in opposite radialdirections 180 from each other about the periphery of said roll andwherein the blades on one side of said radial flange are rotated 90about the axis of the roll member on which they are mounted with respectto the blades on the other side of said central radial flange.

7. The invention of claim 6 additionally including a sharp cutting edgedefining a circular outer periphery of each of said central radialflange members and wherein the outer periphery of said central radialflanges on the first segmentizer roll radially overlaps the outerperiphery of the central radial flange on the second segmentizer rollwhereby said central radial flange members cooperate to provide acutting action on any cane members passing through the area in which thecentral radial flange members overlap.

8. Field harvesting means for gathering windrowed cane comprising amotor driven vehicle, cane pickup and conveying means extendingforwardly from said vehicle for engaging windrowed cane and lifting thecane upwardly from the ground, cane segmentizer means positioned toreceive cane from said pickup and conveying means, a cleaning chamberinto which cane segments are discharged from said cane segmentizer meansto fall downwardly onto the lower end of an outfeed conveyor meansextending transversely upwardly from said vehicle and having a dischargeend spaced to one side of said vehicle, means for providing an air blastacross said cane segments falling onto said outfeed conveyor forremoving trash and leaf particles from said cane segments, shroud meansenclosing the discharge end of said outfeed conveyor and power drivenfan means in said shroud means for creating air flow across canesegments being conveyed by and discharged from the discharge end of saidoutfeed conveyor for blowing leaf or other trash particles away fromsaid cane segments.

9. The invention of claim 8 additionally including a plurality ofparallel agitator rolls mounted beneath the discharge end of saidoutfeed conveyor for receiving cane segments from said discharge end ofsaid outfeed conveyor, means for driving said agitator rolls forphysically agitating said cane segments to dislodge leaf or trashparticles on said cane segments and to move said cane segments to adischarge point from which they are discharged into a receiving device.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein each of said parallel agitatorrolls comprises a support shaft, a plurality of square rim memberscoaxially mounted on said support shafts and spaced along the length ofsaid support shafts, the square rim members of each agitator roll beinginterleaved with the square rim members of adjacent agitator rolls.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein said cane segmentizer meanscomprises first and second segmentizer roll members mounted for rotationabout parallel axes, gear means connecting said first and secondsegmentizer rolls, a plurality of radially extending blade members oneach of said segmentizer roll members, the blade members on said firstsegmentizer roll member having an outer edge termination comprising asharply tapered edge surface, said blades on said second segmentizerroll having a slot in their outer edge into which a sharply tapered edgesurface of a blade member on said first segmentizer roll moves as theblades pass through the nip of said segmentizer rolls as the rollsrotate in unison.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said slots in said blade memberscomprise stepped surfaces providing a plurality of cutting edgescooperable with the sharply tapered edge surface of the blade members onthe other segmentizer roll means.

13. The invention of claim 12 additionally including hold-down conveyormeans positioned above said pickup conveying means for aiding in theconveyance of cane upwardly along said cane pickup and conveying means.

14. The invention of claim 9 wherein said cane segmentizer meanscomprises first and second segmentizer roll member mounted for rotationabout parallel axes, each of said segmentizer rolls including a centralradial flange, first and second radially extending blade means on eachside of each of said radial flange extending in opposite radialdirections 180 from each other about the periphery of said roll, theblades on one side of said radial flange being displaced 90 with respectto the blades on the other side ofsaid central radial flange and gearmeans connecting said first and second segmentizer rolls whereby theblade means on the two rolls cooperate with each other as they passthrough the nip between the first and second segmentizer rolls toeffectively chop cane into short segments.

15. The invention of claim 14 additionally including a sharp cuttingedge defining a circular outer periphery of each of said central radialflange members and wherein the outer periphery of said central radialflanges defined by said sharp cutting edges of the first segmentizerroll radially overlaps the outer periphery of the central radial flangeof the second segmentizer roll whereby said central radial flangemembers cooperate to provide a cutting action on any cane memberspassing through the area in which the central radial flange membersoverlap.

16. The invention of claim 1 wherein said segmentizer means comprises afirst rotary support means mounted for rotation about a first axis ofrotation, a second rotary support means mounted for rotation about asecond axis of rotation parallel to said first axis of rotation, cuttingblades extending radially from said first rotary support means and eachblade having a sharp outer edge, backup members mounted on said secondrotary support means and each backup member having inwardly extendingbottomed slots in its outer portions, said inwardly extending slotsbeing of a sufficient depth and width to permit one of said sharp outeredges to be received in the confines of one of said inwardly extendingslots with an appreciable clearance space between the sharp outer edgeand the surface of said inwardly extending slot and drive means forrotating said first and seconod support means in unison so that saidsharp outer edges move into the confines of one of said inwardlyextending slots during each revolution of said first and second supportmeans for effecting a cutting operation on cane or the like positionedbetween said cutting blade and said backup member.

17. The invention of claim 16 wherein said inwardly extending slots areof V-shaped configuration.

18. The invention of claim 16 wherein said inwardly extending slots eachcomprise first and second side walls connected at their innermost extentby a flat bottom wall portion.

19. The invention of claim 18 wherein said backup members each comprisea blade member and said slot is formed in an outer edge of said blademember.

20. Means for cutting cane or the like into short segments comprising afirst rotary support means mounted for rotation about a first axis ofrotation, a second rotary support means mounted for rotation about asecond axis of rotation parallel to said first axis of rotation, cuttingblades extending radially from said first rotary support means with eachcutting blade having a sharp outer edge termination, backup membersmounted on said second rotary support means, each of said backup membershaving an inwardly extending bottomed slot facing outwardly and formedof relatively fixed immovable surfaces, said inwardly extending slotsbeing of sufficient depth and width to permit the sharp outer edge ofone of said blade members to be received within its confines withouttouching the inwardly extending slot surfaces while permitting a buildupof cane fibers in the slot to provide a backing for the cutting actionof said sharp outer edge and drive means for rotating said first andsecond support means in unison so that each of said sharp outer edgesmoves into the confines of one of said inwardly extending slots duringeach revolution of said first support means for effecting a cuttingoperation on cane or the like positioned between said cutting blade andsaid backup member.

21. The invention of claim 20 wherein said surface portions definingsaid inwardly extending slots include first and second side wallsconnected at their innermost extent by a flat bottom wall portion todefine each slot.

22. The invention of claim 20 wherein said backup members each comprisea blade member with said slot being formed in an outer edge of each ofsaid blade members.

23. The invention of claim 22 additionally including end flanges on theends of said first and second rotary support means, a central radialcutting flange mounted medially between said end flanges on each of saidrotary support means, said central radial cutting flanges each having anouter sharp circular cutting surface with the cutting surfaces of thetwo central radial cutting flanges overlapping to provide a continuousscissor type cutting operation for any cane segments or the like passingthrough the overlapped portions of said central radial cutting flanges.

24. Field harvesting means for gathering windrowed cane comprising amotor driven vehicle, cane pickup and conveying means extendingforwardly from said vehicle for engaging windrowed cane and lifting thecane upwardly from the ground, cane segmentizer means positioned toreceive cane from said pickup and conveying means, said segmentizermeans comprising a first rotary support means mounted for rotation abouta first axis of rotation, a second rotary support means mounted forrotation about a second axis of rotation parallel to said first axis ofrotation, cutting blades extending radially from said first rotarysupport means and each blade having a sharp outer edge, backup memberscomprising blade members mounted on said second rotary support means andeach blade member having inwardly extending bottomed slots in its outerportions formed in an outer edge of each blade, said inwardly extendingslots each defined by first and second side walls connected at theirinnermost extent by a flat bottom wall portion and being ofa sufficientdepth and width to permit one of said sharp outer edges to be receivedin the confines of one of said inwardly extending slots with anappreciable clearance space between the sharp outer edge and thesurfaces of said inwardly extending slot, drive means for rotating saidfirst and second support means in unison so that said sharp outer edgesmove into the confines of one of said inwardly extending slots duringeach revolution of said first and second support means for effecting acutting operation on cane or the like positioned between said cuttingblade and said backup member, end flanges on the ends of said first andsecond rotary support means and a central radial cutting flange mountedmedially between said end flanges on each of said rotary support means,said central radial cutting flanges each having an outer sharp circularcutting surface with the cutting surfaces of the two central radialcutting flanges overlapping to provide a continuous scissor type cuttingoperation for any cane segments or the like passing through theoverlapped portions of said central radial cutting flanges.

1. Field harvesting means for gathering freshly cut windrowed canecomprising a motor driven vehicle, cane pickup and conveying meansmounted on and extending forwardly from said vehicle for engagingwindrowed cane extending in generally parallel relation to the directionof movement of said vehicle and lifting the cane of the windrow upwardlyfrom the ground for rearward conveyance, cane segmentizer meanspositioned on said vehicle to receive cane from said pickup andconveying means, a cleaning chamber mounted on said vehicle in aposition to receive cane segments discharged from said cane segmentizermeans to fall downwardly through said cleaning chamber, an outfeedconveyor means mounted on the vehicle and having a lower end in saidcleaning chamber to receive said cane segments falling through saidcleaning chamber, said outfeed conveyor extending transversely upwardlyfrom said cleaning chamber and having a discharge end spaced to one sideof said vehicle, means mounted on said vehicle for providing an airblast in said cleaning chamber across said cane segments falling throughsaid cleaning chamber onto said outfeed conveyor for removing trash andleaf particles from said cane segments and blower means mounted adjacentthe outer end of said outfeed conveyor for creating an air flow acrossthe path of travel of cane segments falling from the discharge end ofsaid outfeed conveyor.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said canesegmentizer means includes first and second driven segmentizer rollmeans mounted for rotation about parallel axes, gear means drivinglyconnecting said first and second segmentizer roll members for rotationin unison, a plurality of radially extending blade members equidistantlyspaced on each of said segmentizer roll members so that one blade oneach roll passes in unison through the nip of said roll members with acooperating blade on the other roll member as said roll members rotatein unison, the blade members on said first segmentizer roll memberhaving an outer edge termination comprising a sharly tapered edgesurface, said blades on said second segmentizer roll having surfaceportions defining a bottomed slot in their outer edge into which asharply tapered edge surface of a blade member on said first segmentizerroll moves as the blades pass through the nip of said segmentizer rollsas the rolls rotate in unison.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein saidbottomed slots in said blade members on said second segmentizer rollmember comprise stepped surfaces providing a plurality of cutting edgescooperable with the sharply tapered edge surface of the blade members onthe first segmentizer roll member.
 4. The invention of claim 2 whereinsaid cane pickup and conveying means comprises a lower conveyor feedasSembly including a first chain driven conveyor system for picking andlifting cane from the surface of the ground, and agitating roll meanspositioned to receive said cane from said first chain conveyor systemand including rotating members physically engageable with said cane fordislodging leaf and trash particles from the cane and for feeding caneto a second chain conveyor system positioned to receive cane from saidagitator roll to convey said cane upwardly, a second agitator rollpositioned to receive cane from the upper end of said second chainconveyor system and including means engageable with the cane for feedingthe cane and for dislodging trash and leaf particles from the cane, saidfirst and second segmentizer rolls being positioned immediately adjacentsaid second agitator roll for receiving cane from said second agitatorroll.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said outfeed conveyor includesa horizontal portion extending across the lower end of said cleaningchamber with said outfeed conveyor comprising first and second parallelspaced chain members connected by parallel rods and angle members spacedalong said chain members parallel to said rods for lifting cane segmentsupwardly from said cleaning chamber.
 6. The invention of claim 2 whereineach of said segmentizer roll members includes a central radial flange,said blade means includes first and second radially extending blademembers on each side of each of said central radial flange meansextending in opposite radial directions 180* from each other about theperiphery of said roll and wherein the blades on one side of said radialflange are rotated 90* about the axis of the roll member on which theyare mounted with respect to the blades on the other side of said centralradial flange.
 7. The invention of claim 6 additionally including asharp cutting edge defining a circular outer periphery of each of saidcentral radial flange members and wherein the outer periphery of saidcentral radial flanges on the first segmentizer roll radially overlapsthe outer periphery of the central radial flange on the secondsegmentizer roll whereby said central radial flange members cooperate toprovide a cutting action on any cane members passing through the area inwhich the central radial flange members overlap.
 8. Field harvestingmeans for gathering windrowed cane comprising a motor driven vehicle,cane pickup and conveying means extending forwardly from said vehiclefor engaging windrowed cane and lifting the cane upwardly from theground, cane segmentizer means positioned to receive cane from saidpickup and conveying means, a cleaning chamber into which cane segmentsare discharged from said cane segmentizer means to fall downwardly ontothe lower end of an outfeed conveyor means extending transverselyupwardly from said vehicle and having a discharge end spaced to one sideof said vehicle, means for providing an air blast across said canesegments falling onto said outfeed conveyor for removing trash and leafparticles from said cane segments, shroud means enclosing the dischargeend of said outfeed conveyor and power driven fan means in said shroudmeans for creating air flow across cane segments being conveyed by anddischarged from the discharge end of said outfeed conveyor for blowingleaf or other trash particles away from said cane segments.
 9. Theinvention of claim 8 additionally including a plurality of parallelagitator rolls mounted beneath the discharge end of said outfeedconveyor for receiving cane segments from said discharge end of saidoutfeed conveyor, means for driving said agitator rolls for physicallyagitating said cane segments to dislodge leaf or trash particles on saidcane segments and to move said cane segments to a discharge point fromwhich they are discharged into a receiving device.
 10. The invention ofclaim 9 wherein each of said parallel agitator rolls comprises a supportshaft, a plurality of square rim members coaxially mounted on saiDsupport shafts and spaced along the length of said support shafts, thesquare rim members of each agitator roll being interleaved with thesquare rim members of adjacent agitator rolls.
 11. The invention ofclaim 10 wherein said cane segmentizer means comprises first and secondsegmentizer roll members mounted for rotation about parallel axes, gearmeans connecting said first and second segmentizer rolls, a plurality ofradially extending blade members on each of said segmentizer rollmembers, the blade members on said first segmentizer roll member havingan outer edge termination comprising a sharply tapered edge surface,said blades on said second segmentizer roll having a slot in their outeredge into which a sharply tapered edge surface of a blade member on saidfirst segmentizer roll moves as the blades pass through the nip of saidsegmentizer rolls as the rolls rotate in unison.
 12. The invention ofclaim 11 wherein said slots in said blade members comprise steppedsurfaces providing a plurality of cutting edges cooperable with thesharply tapered edge surface of the blade members on the othersegmentizer roll means.
 13. The invention of claim 12 additionallyincluding hold-down conveyor means positioned above said pickupconveying means for aiding in the conveyance of cane upwardly along saidcane pickup and conveying means.
 14. The invention of claim 9 whereinsaid cane segmentizer means comprises first and second segmentizer rollmember mounted for rotation about parallel axes, each of saidsegmentizer rolls including a central radial flange, first and secondradially extending blade means on each side of each of said radialflange extending in opposite radial directions 180* from each otherabout the periphery of said roll, the blades on one side of said radialflange being displaced 90* with respect to the blades on the other sideof said central radial flange and gear means connecting said first andsecond segmentizer rolls whereby the blade means on the two rollscooperate with each other as they pass through the nip between the firstand second segmentizer rolls to effectively chop cane into shortsegments.
 15. The invention of claim 14 additionally including a sharpcutting edge defining a circular outer periphery of each of said centralradial flange members and wherein the outer periphery of said centralradial flanges defined by said sharp cutting edges of the firstsegmentizer roll radially overlaps the outer periphery of the centralradial flange of the second segmentizer roll whereby said central radialflange members cooperate to provide a cutting action on any cane memberspassing through the area in which the central radial flange membersoverlap.
 16. The invention of claim 1 wherein said segmentizer meanscomprises a first rotary support means mounted for rotation about afirst axis of rotation, a second rotary support means mounted forrotation about a second axis of rotation parallel to said first axis ofrotation, cutting blades extending radially from said first rotarysupport means and each blade having a sharp outer edge, backup membersmounted on said second rotary support means and each backup memberhaving inwardly extending bottomed slots in its outer portions, saidinwardly extending slots being of a sufficient depth and width to permitone of said sharp outer edges to be received in the confines of one ofsaid inwardly extending slots with an appreciable clearance spacebetween the sharp outer edge and the surface of said inwardly extendingslot and drive means for rotating said first and seconod support meansin unison so that said sharp outer edges move into the confines of oneof said inwardly extending slots during each revolution of said firstand second support means for effecting a cutting operation on cane orthe like positioned between said cutting blade and said backup member.17. The invention of claim 16 wherein said inwardly extending slots areof V-shaped configuration.
 18. The invention of claim 16 wherein saidinwardly extending slots each comprise first and second side wallsconnected at their innermost extent by a flat bottom wall portion. 19.The invention of claim 18 wherein said backup members each comprise ablade member and said slot is formed in an outer edge of said blademember.
 20. Means for cutting cane or the like into short segmentscomprising a first rotary support means mounted for rotation about afirst axis of rotation, a second rotary support means mounted forrotation about a second axis of rotation parallel to said first axis ofrotation, cutting blades extending radially from said first rotarysupport means with each cutting blade having a sharp outer edgetermination, backup members mounted on said second rotary support means,each of said backup members having an inwardly extending bottomed slotfacing outwardly and formed of relatively fixed immovable surfaces, saidinwardly extending slots being of sufficient depth and width to permitthe sharp outer edge of one of said blade members to be received withinits confines without touching the inwardly extending slot surfaces whilepermitting a buildup of cane fibers in the slot to provide a backing forthe cutting action of said sharp outer edge and drive means for rotatingsaid first and second support means in unison so that each of said sharpouter edges moves into the confines of one of said inwardly extendingslots during each revolution of said first support means for effecting acutting operation on cane or the like positioned between said cuttingblade and said backup member.
 21. The invention of claim 20 wherein saidsurface portions defining said inwardly extending slots include firstand second side walls connected at their innermost extent by a flatbottom wall portion to define each slot.
 22. The invention of claim 20wherein said backup members each comprise a blade member with said slotbeing formed in an outer edge of each of said blade members.
 23. Theinvention of claim 22 additionally including end flanges on the ends ofsaid first and second rotary support means, a central radial cuttingflange mounted medially between said end flanges on each of said rotarysupport means, said central radial cutting flanges each having an outersharp circular cutting surface with the cutting surfaces of the twocentral radial cutting flanges overlapping to provide a continuousscissor type cutting operation for any cane segments or the like passingthrough the overlapped portions of said central radial cutting flanges.24. Field harvesting means for gathering windrowed cane comprising amotor driven vehicle, cane pickup and conveying means extendingforwardly from said vehicle for engaging windrowed cane and lifting thecane upwardly from the ground, cane segmentizer means positioned toreceive cane from said pickup and conveying means, said segmentizermeans comprising a first rotary support means mounted for rotation abouta first axis of rotation, a second rotary support means mounted forrotation about a second axis of rotation parallel to said first axis ofrotation, cutting blades extending radially from said first rotarysupport means and each blade having a sharp outer edge, backup memberscomprising blade members mounted on said second rotary support means andeach blade member having inwardly extending bottomed slots in its outerportions formed in an outer edge of each blade, said inwardly extendingslots each defined by first and second side walls connected at theirinnermost extent by a flat bottom wall portion and being of a sufficientdepth and width to permit one of said sharp outer edges to be receivedin the confines of one of said inwardly extending slots with anappreciable clearance space between the sharp outer edge and thesurfaces of said inwardly extending slot, drive means for rotating saidfirst and second support means in unison so that said sharp outer edgesmove into the confines of one of said inwardly extending slots duringeach revolution of said first and second support means for effecting acutting operation on cane or the like positioned between said cuttingblade and said backup member, end flanges on the ends of said first andsecond rotary support means and a central radial cutting flange mountedmedially between said end flanges on each of said rotary support means,said central radial cutting flanges each having an outer sharp circularcutting surface with the cutting surfaces of the two central radialcutting flanges overlapping to provide a continuous scissor type cuttingoperation for any cane segments or the like passing through theoverlapped portions of said central radial cutting flanges.